60 years of the Kombiwagen: the Volkswagen Transporter

This year is clearly a year of anniversaries. Among more or less famous brands celebrating their centenary and Italian coachbuilders also celebrating, the Volkswagen Transporter has not been left out, because this March it has turned 60 years of unrivalled service.

The first model of the Transporter (T2) went into production on 8 March 1950 in Wolfsburg and marked the beginning of what would become an iconic vehicle. It is true that it is neither a sports car nor a saloon remembered for its strength, durability or reliability; it is simply a load-carrying, multi-purpose vehicle, as it was later used.

The Transporter has been used as an ambulance, fire engine, camper, van, pick-up, public transport vehicle (as it is used in some parts of South America), transport for the emerging rock bands, and even as a small refuse truck in Denmark. Looking at the engines it has offered since the start, I must confess I was unaware that at some point it had carried the 12- and 24-valve versions of the famous VR6 engine.

Today the Transporter is still on sale, although with some variations depending on the country of sale. Although Volkswagen it came close to being discontinued because of its somewhat high production cost, the vehicle is still sold, though it may have lost some of its original philosophy.

Happy birthday Kombiwagen!

Via | German Car Scene

More information | Wikipedia